A Ducati Scrambler that took 150 emails to get right, a Yamaha WR400F tracker inspired by an Eames chair, and a BMW dismantled and redesigned in CAD. It’s an oddball selection this week.
Yamaha WR400F by Pista Design The Los Angeles shop is committed to ‘handcrafting fun’ with custom motorcycles, and their latest build is a shining example. Dubbed ‘Case Study Tracker,’ this Yamaha WR400F draws inspiration from MotoGP and the architecture of Eames furniture—of all things.
“Convention was thrown out the window” when Lindsay Ross, Alex Kors and Robbie Pyle went to work. The fuel cell of this Yammie now hides beneath the seat and tail, to help centralize mass and lower the center of gravity. That also meant that the seat itself could extend all the way to the yoke, and allowed the lads to keep things slim all around. The function of fuel over the rear wheel and a more mobile rider means this tracker can point and shoot with the best of them.
Other purely aesthetic design highlights are the experimental finishes Pista employed on the build. There is no paint used here, but the fiberglass has been tinted, the aluminum brushed and the American Walnut panels have been stained to resemble those from the most iconic mid-century modern lounger. If given the choice, which one would plant yourself on? [More]
Ducati Scrambler by TTRNO One hundred and fifty-two emails. That was the amount of communication between buyer and builder to ensure that the renderings for this Ducati Scrambler would be bang on. And after a quick survey of the completed project, we’d say there’s only one email left to deliver—the thank you.
Oddly-named TTRNO (The Transportation Revolution New Orleans) was commissioned to create ‘Carra Scrambler’ by a TV producer with an eye for detail, based in the Big Apple. This is why so many ideas were floated through cyberspace and why TTRNO, primarily a N’awlins moto dealer, brought their A-game. The modifications to the Ducati Scrambler began with a simple stripping of superfluous parts. Adding lightness, TTRNO removed the plastics that cover the battery-box and rear subframe as well as the unsightly fender, opting for a hugger unit instead.
A bespoke, diamond-stitched seat was prepared by Karl Vosloh with an integrated cafe hump that matches the profile of the Duc’s tank. A custom exhaust, fresh coat of paint and new Pirelli Angel GT rubber was fitted to finish things off. [More]
BMW R1200 R by Digimoto Computer Aided Design software has long been a staple in the custom industry. Not everyone turns to its parametric precision for direction, but chances are good that a couple of parts in almost every build have been digitally modeled. Munich-based designer Christian Zanzotti, on the other hand, is taking things to the next level.
Using a combination of 3D scanning and Virtual Reality prototyping, Digimoto is Zanzotti’s developmental study into the future of motorcycles, aiming to fuse rider and bike into a single entity. Working from a brand new BMW R1200 R, the Beemer was completely stripped, leaving only the big boxer and some key frame components. From there Zanzotti and his team used VR software to visualize and tweak their concept.
The shape of the hand welded aluminum tank is a direct result of this process, as are the 3D-printed parts like the headlight cooling element, the laser-cut seat and the milled aluminum wheels. In lieu of gauges, multiple sensors on the bike collect and project key data to the rider’s helmet visor using a Skully-esque type of system. We’ve seen the future, gentlemen and it looks wild. [More]
Honda NX650 by Matteucci Garage Matteucci has an obsessive attention to detail and a very deft pair of hands; this much we know from his previous work. But unlike the dark and heavy themes found on his CM400, this new NX650 is delicate, light and very refreshing.
Inspired by a love of guitars, ‘Strato’ is stunningly clad in the Daphne Blue hue that could be found on vintage Fenders from the 1950s. But before the paint was applied, Marco had to strip his 1992 Dominator down to the barest essentials. The bulky stock subframe was binned in favor of an upswept perch, LED signals and a taillight were integrated directly into the design, along with an abrupt yet functional rear fender.
Up front, a set of narrow bars add to the graceful stance, sitting atop a pair of USD forks that originally called an Aprilia home. The extra travel in the suspension, combined with TKC80 rubber, should make Strato anything but delicate to ride although that custom Y-pipe’d exhaust may hang a touch low for anything too aggro. [More]
Moto Guzzi Griso by Officine Sbrannetti While the V7 family gets most of the Guzzi love from the custom bike world, the Griso has long been the rider’s choice when piloting a transverse V-twin. The combination of power, handling and character are uniquely presented in the Griso—but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect.
Far from it, in fact. Officine Sbrannetti—who you may remember from their scrambled GS—pegged their sights on adding some oomph. And also taming the suspension quirks of the long wheel-based Guzzi.
The front forks and monoshock rear of ‘Caffe Lungo’ are now Öhlins units from an Aprilia RSV1000R, and a completely custom 2-into-2 exhaust system was grafted on to open up the 1100 twin. Of course, performance is only one facet of this build, with aesthetics being the other. ‘Flat and angry’ is the look we have here, which is thanks largely to the new rear subframe, low hung clip-ons and a headlight unit swiped from an MV Agusta Brutale.